W A I T I N G…
Is anyone weary from the waiting? Waiting for social distancing to end so we might gather and give hugs to our friends and loved ones. Waiting for the time when our kids can have playdates. Waiting for the day when masks and hand sanitizer won’t be common attire. Waiting for an appointment at the salon. Waiting for toilet paper, anti-bacterial wipes and, unbleached, all-purpose flour to be back in stock in the grocery store (why are the shelves empty of unbleached flour???) Waiting for the uncertainty to end.
And when the waiting and uncertainty drag on, we begin to question and doubt. It’s already happening with “experts” from both camps giving their stats—masks/no masks, crowds/no crowds, etc. It’s hard to know who to believe and trust. Let’s just all crawl back into bed and maybe when we wake up it will all be back to “normal”—whatever that really means.
2 Peter speaks to these very issues we are living through these days. Peter’s audience were believers who were redeemed and waiting on the return of Christ. But life was hard and as we learned in 1 Peter, they faced opposition to their faith in almost every aspect of life. In 2 Peter, the scoffers have now begun to plant seeds of doubt as to whether Christ will really return; and if Christ’s return is not an assurance, then what are they really living for as Christians?
“Live for today! Do what makes you happy! Seek comfort and prosperity in this life!” These were the ideals the false teachers and the scoffers were peddling to the people. Anything to get believers to doubt and question God’s promises and deny Jesus as Lord! And how easily we can relate to this in our own time. So what is the answer to dealing with these daily doubts?
Peter urges believers to remember and to stir up their minds to keep remembering the truths about the gospel and about Jesus that they know and have heard from the beginning. Jesus is Savior and Lord!
Jesus not only redeemed them from their empty way of life but has given them an example in Himself of what is to rule their daily life. He is the one who sits at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for us. He is our Shepherd and our victorious King who will return one day to complete our salvation and make all things new. We can trust in His power and His promises.
In light of all this, Peter reminds believers to keep growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus! We are to “make every effort” to keep on growing. Because it is in this diligent pursuit that we are transformed in Christlikeness day by day, from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).
As we rest in God’s power and promises (2 Peter 1:3-5) —spending time in His Word and in prayer, we find our focus and attention shifts to the “things that are above where Christ is” and that the things of this world grow strangely dim. (Colossians 3:1-4). And when we live like this, God is glorified!
So, respond to the delay, the waiting, by using it as an opportunity for growth— to know more of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep looking to Jesus. Keep letting Him rule in your heart and life. Keep reading the Word. Keep pouring your heart out to Him in prayer. Keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Copyright ©2020, Susan Cady, susancady.com
